CHAPTER 10 A PLAN
Genevieve drew in a steadying breath, heart hammering in her chest. “Yes. I’m sorry. I really don’t want to trouble you anymore.” Her gaze dropped, unwilling to meet his. The intensity in his dark eyes made her nervous, almost paralyzed.
Lucas didn’t move. He stayed right in her space, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from his body, smell the faint, masculine
scent of him lingering in the air. Her breaths came shallow and rapid; every inhale seemed to burn, every exhale too heavy.
“Where are you going to go?” His eyes held hers. There was no distance between them — his feet planted firmly, his body leaning slightly forward,
cutting off every escape. The closeness was overwhelming, a suffocating intimacy she had never experienced before.
“I haven’t thought about that yet. I guess I’ll figure it out.” she admitted, worry flickering in her eyes. “I’m definitely not going back to Hale's house.”
Lucas brows knitted in concern. “Miss Brooks, I’m not troubled at all by you being here. I’m actually very happy.”
Her eyes flickered at him, uncertainty mixing with anxiety. “But I don’t think—”
He cut her off with a sharp, frustrated sigh. His hand slammed onto the couch with a loud thud, making her jump. He straightened, a trace of
disappointment tightening his posture. “I know why you are insisting on leaving. I’ve heard the rumors,” he said, voice tense, a flicker of hurt in his dark eyes. “People say I’m arrogant, rude, dangerous…”
His eyes lifted to meet hers again, sadness softening his features. “Everyone seems so scared of me that no one wants to even share a meal with me.”He let out a shattering breath, as though the weight of his loneliness was physical. His gaze softened, looking down at her. “I must have done something very wrong in my life to deserve being hated by everyone and
left alone.”
He closed his eyes briefly, the shadow of pain and sadness flickering across his face before he released the back of the couch and straightened once more.
Genevieve's heart twisted at the sight. Panic flashed across her face. “That’s not true, Mr. Blackwell!” she exclaimed quickly, voice anxious. Her gaze softened, and she stepped slightly closer. “It’s not because of you.”
Lucas eyes opened, the sad look on his face melting almost instantly into the same intense gaze Genevieve had seen before. He stared at her, the faintest hint of a smile threatening to break across his lips, but he held it back.
Genevieve fingers tightened, brows knitting, lips pressing into a thin line. She scolded herself internally. ‘Just divorced one man… and here I am, melting at another man’s sad face in seconds. When will I fix this brain of mine that falls for handsome men so easily?’ She bit her lip, eyes tightening with tension and exasperation. But… Mr. Blackwell has helped me so much. He’s
nothing like the rumors. Maybe I misjudged him. The fault is mine for letting gossip shape my thoughts.’
Finally, she looked up and answered at once, “All right, Mr. Blackwell. I’ll have breakfast with you.”
Lucas' eyes lit up with subtle satisfaction, though he quickly masked it behind a controlled expression.
But Genevieve still carried a hint of embarrassment, her anxious gaze flicking
toward him. “I really feel embarrassed eating at your house,” she admitted softly. “After bothering you last night… after all the trouble, and you still
had to bring me here and now feed me… I just feel ashamed.”
Lucas' lips twitched, threatening to break into a full smile. ‘How is she so naive? So easy to Influence?’ he thought, amused.
“You’re right, Miss Brooks,” he said lightly, amusement hidden in his tone.
“It really is a burden staying and eating at someone else’s house,especially when you’ve never even met them before.”
Genevieve nodded, biting her lip in agreement.
Lucas gaze softened, though a glint of mischief remained. “Then how about you help me in return?”
Before she could respond, Lucas stepped closer, placing his hand once more on her waist. She blinked in surprise. The next second, that same hand moved beneath her knees as he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
Genevieve gasped lightly as he rounded the couch and set her down gently, seating
her comfortably while he stood in front of her.
Startled, she blinked up at him. “What do you mean, Mr. Blackwell ? How can I help you?”
Lucas leaned casually against the smaller couch beside her. He pulled a gold card from his pocket and offered it to her. “You know I own and operate the Max Mall, right?"Genevieve nodded, curiosity flickering in her eyes. Everyone knew the Blackwell's family owned the mall, but she hadn’t realized Lucas personally managed operations.
“There’s so much in my mall just sitting unused,” he continued.
“Jewelry, clothes, bags… As long as you’re staying here at my house, I want you to go through everything and get whatever you like with this card. Wear them for me.”
She frowned, puzzled. “Wear them? But… how would that help? Wouldn’t that just waste your resources?”
“All those things just sit on the shelves, unused. I want you to wear them outside, show them to people. It’s like free advertising for my mall. The
items only shine when someone wears them. Otherwise, they lose their value. Understand?” He tapped the card gently against her nose,
emphasizing his point. “Wouldn’t that be helping me?”
Genevieve paused, thinking. She had never dealt with business operations or marketing before, but Lucas handled such a large business. He was a
man of precision, intelligence, and influence. He wouldn’t ask without reason. A small, proud smile curved her lips. “Everything you’re saying… it
makes sense, Mr. Blackwell. I understand.”
From the corner of the living room, one of the maids stared in shock. She murmured under her breath to the woman beside her, “Here we go. Mr.
Blackwell is back to his evil ways.”
The maid beside her met her eyes and let out a long sigh. “Poor Miss Genevive She doesn’t know what she’s just gotten herself into.”
The first maid’s shock lingered. “Miss Genevieve really is a perfect match for Mr. Blackwell. Is she really this gullible? She fell for his words that easily?”
The other woman glanced at her and whispered back, “Seems like it. Miss Genevieve actually believed that the mall—which makes millions every year— would need her to wear the products to advertise.”
The two maids exchanged looks and shook their heads in exasperation.
Genevieve, oblivious to their whispers, looked up at Lucas , her eyes sparkling with determination. “Mr. Blackwell , I’ll do my best to help you.”
Lucas' smile deepened, approval in his gaze. “Good. I need you to get at least fifty items every day from the mall. Use this card.” He handed a
gold card to her.
Genevieve took it, staring at its shine. Even the card looked like it was made of real gold. She held it carefully in her hand, awe and a hint of tension
flickering in her eyes. ‘How am I going to pick fifty items every day? I don’t even buy that much in an entire year. What should I choose to help him the most?’
Just then, Allen appeared silently beside Lucas , his polished shoes barely making a sound on the marble floor. “Mr. Blackwell,” he said, lowering
his voice, “there’s some news about Mr. Hales .”
Both Lucas and Genevieve turned toward him.
Genevieve's voice trembled slightly, soft yet wary. “You mean… Victor Hale ?”
Allen glanced at Lucas for confirmation. A subtle nod from Lucas was enough, and Allen’s voice carried a measured certainty. “Yes, Miss Brooks